Barbarians confirm special fixture against Loughborough Students

The Barbarians will play Loughborough Students Rugby Football Club at the University's new stadium on Wednesday 9 May 2012.

Confirming the special fixture, Barbarians' secretary Alan Evans said, "We received an invitation from the rugby club at Loughborough University to play a match as part of a series of events to mark the opening of the new stadium which has a capacity of 3,000.

"Loughborough has a long history as a major rugby nursery for club and international players and we are very pleased that they wanted us to play a part in launching this latest development in their facilities."

Among several Loughborough graduates who have gone on to play for the Barbarians are Gerald Davies, Fran Cotton, Andy Robinson and Clive Woodward, testimony to the quality of the students and the rugby they play.

Currently, Loughborough Students are flying high at the top of the National North 2 league table. Promotion at the end of the season would see them in National League 1 in 2012/2013.

Dave Morris, head coach of Loughborough Students Rugby Football Club, said, "We are delighted that we have attracted the legendary Barbarian Football Club to play a fixture against the Students to celebrate the opening of the new stadium. Having such a world famous sporting institution on campus will ensure that it will be a fitting occasion.

"The ethos of both clubs is to play attractive rugby, therefore we are expecting it to be an entertaining match. We hope that such a high profile event will attract great support from staff and students as well as members of the local community and rugby fans further afield."

This latest addition to the Barbarians' fixture list completes a busy month for the club. At the end of May the Baa-Baas' summer tour takes in representative matches agaisnt England, Ireland and Wales in a seven-day period.

Barbarians' Fixtures
Wednesday 9 May : Loughborough Students (Loughborough University)
Sunday 27 May : England (Twickenham)
Tuesday 29 May : Ireland (Kingsholm, Gloucester)
Saturday 2 June : Wales (Millennium Stadium)